Have you ever got a ball at a game before?

[Jcfowler6]

I thought it would be fun to share stories about getting balls at a game before.

It took me 38 years to get my first ball and today my son and I got 3! It is truly awesome. The best part was sharing in it with my son.

[steve B]

Wow, 3 at one game! sounds like a great day at the ballpark.

My only one is minor league and a bit odd/embarassing. Long foul to right, where I was at a concession stand that I picked for the short line. I heard the crowd, turned around to see the play and the ball was coming right towards me. Of course, I have my hands full with a tray of food and drinks. Ball deflects off the hand of the guy just leaving in front of me hits my stomach and lands in the tray. Not the smoothest "catch", but I'll take it.

Steve B

[slidekellyslide]

Never at a Major League game...I've only attended about 30 of those...but I've gotten plenty of foul balls/homers at the local minor league games.

[Jcfowler6]

Wow, 3 at one game! sounds like a great day at the ballpark.

My only one is minor league and a bit odd/embarassing. Long foul to right, where I was at a concession stand that I picked for the short line. I heard the crowd, turned around to see the play and the ball was coming right towards me. Of course, I have my hands full with a tray of food and drinks. Ball deflects off the hand of the guy just leaving in front of me hits my stomach and lands in the tray. Not the smoothest "catch", but I'll take it.

Steve B


I'd take it how ever it comes. No points for style.:)

[freakhappy]

3 balls! That is awesome! I bet your son was super pumped about grabbing three of those suckers. Was it during the game or during batting practice?

My only experience coming close to grabbing a foul ball was when I was in Detroit three years ago watching the Tigers and the A's play and Sean Casey hit one up in our section and the ball was literally coming straight down at me and when it was spiraling down, it started to tail over a bit and I had a decision to make...do I jump over for it (because I knew a family of three were next to me) or just let it go and not make a fool of myself? Well, I let it go and let the youngster catch it and he was excited and I was okay with letting it go...but man, it would have been nice to have one. One day I'll stick my hand out and snatch it...youngster or not :D

Mike

[Bilko G]

That's very cool, congrats to you and your son!!!:D


Ive never caught a ball at an MLB game but when the Pacific Coast League was in Calgary, Alberta back in the 80's and 90s, we were the AAA team of the Seattle Mariners and as a kid, in the age range of 10-15 years old, me and my friends would often wait (probably 30 or 40 times a year or more, lol) in the HR territory at these AAA games with our Baseball gloves to catch the HRs and some foul balls that would come into the field beyond the stadium.

The best HR balls i remember getting were from Danny Tartabull, Tino Martinez and Alex Rodriguez. All players that played their AAA ball in Calgary and i still own those balls to this day (they are somewhere around here, lol). I even got the Tino Martinez ball autographed.

[Jcfowler6]

Yeah it was BP. Jeff Karstens threw one to my son. I caught a line drive one hopper. Then another Pirate player was running by and he just flipped one up to my 10 year old as he was passing by. I can't for the life of me think of who he was.

Then Jeff Karstens and Joel Hanrahan came over later and autographed a souvenir ball my boy had. It was a very cool night.

They had Huey Lewis and the News playing after the game with fireworks mixed in. Definitely a special night. My son fell asleep holding onto one of the balls.

He had his closes for this game picked out and neatly folded on his dresser for two weeks.

Priceless night...

[Jcfowler6]

That's very cool, congrats to you and your son!!!:D


Ive never caught a ball at an MLB game but when the Pacific Coast League was in Calgary, Alberta back in the 80's and 90s, we were the AAA team of the Seattle Mariners and as a kid, in the age range of 10-15 years old, me and my friends would often wait (probably 30 or 40 times a year) in the HR territory at theses AAA games with our Baseball gloves to catch the HRs and some foul balls that would come into the field beyond the stadium.

The best HR balls i remember getting were from Danny Tartabull, Tino Martinez and Alex Rodriguez. All players that played their AAA ball in Calgary and i still own those balls to this day (they are somewhere are here, lol). I even got the Tino Martinez ball autographed.


Those are some cool memories there. Good stuff.

[camlov2]

The closest I ever came was a bruise on my calf where you could see the stitches on the ball. At least I got to carry them around for the next few days. :rolleyes:

[wheels56]

30 years of going to AAA games (Denver Bears) and various major league games and no luck. Then, last year in 6 Giants games before the post season, managed to snag 2. One was in interleague vs the Red Sox. The guy next to my wife and kids booted it and it deflected right to me. The second was a sharp line drive hit by Pablo Sandoval. Caught it on the fly about a foot from my 4 year old.

Both balls promptly handed over to my 9 year old. Great memories!

[mets41]

I've been going to baseball games since 1959. My 1st came in 2000 (or 2001) and the 2nd came the following yoar both at Veterans Stadium, Philly.

[71buc]

I had been going to games since 1969 without ever coming close to one. Then in 1999 I took my 8 year old son to Arizona for Spring Training. The first day we were at Tempe Diablo watching the Angels when Tim Salmon came to bat. My son loved Salmon and he asked me to catch a foul ball for him. I laughed and told him that it was not that easy. Apparently I was wrong. On the next pitch Salmon hit a high foul ball. I was both shocked and terrified when I realized that it was coming my way. I prayed I wouldn't drop it and shame myself in front of my son. It hit my hand with a sickening thud and bounced. I lunged at it in desperation before it could hit the ground. I stumbled down two stairs and fell to my knees but thankfully managed to save it. My son seemingly unimpressed by my athleticism calmly took the ball from me. He informed me that he needed to get it signed by Salmon. We waited after the game for 30 minutes with no luck. Just as I was explaining to my son that we beat the odds to even catch a ball and that he shouldn't be too disappointed Tim Salmon emerged from the tunnel. My son acting as if this happened everyday handed Salmon the ball and asked him to please sign it for him. Salmon obliged him. Then much to my embarrassment he asked Salmon if he saw my amazing catch. Salmon smiled and said that in fact he had and was very impressed. He asked me where I played organized ball and feigned shock when I told him I hadn't. He then shook our hands jogged away. My son was elated. He spent that evening at the hotel pool bragging about me to anyone who would listen. My boy is now 21 and still tells the story of my heroic diving catch. Over the years "the catch" has taken on Paul Bunyonesque proportions. It was a moment neither of us will ever forget. I will be forever grateful to Mr. Salmon for the kindness he showed to us. If there was a hall of fame for gentleman he gained my vote that day. We have never even come close to another ball since then. I hope that we never do as it could only serve to diminish our magical day at Tempe Diablo.

[leftygrove10]

I've gotten two foul balls at Major League games. The first one was at a Nationals game in DC. The second was at Wrigley Field last summer. THAT WAS SUCH A RUSH!!! WOW! I was going to post pictures of that ball, but I can't find it at the moment. I wrote the date and info about the game on the ball so I would know where it came from. My son and I have gotten several other balls at major league and minor league games. They weren't foul balls, but were given to us by players, stadium employees or got them during batting practice.

One of my favor tricks at a minor league game is this.... Sit somewhere behind the dugout, preferably on an aisle where you can get out of your seat easily. Figure out the first baseman's first name for the team that sits in that dugout. Many innings end with a grounder and throw out at first base. Thus, the first baseman ends up carrying the ball into the dugout. As you see the last grounder of the inning happening, get out of your seat if you can (or simply stand up in your seat if you can't get out). After the first baseman catches the ball for the put out at first base and runs to the dugout, stand up and yell his first name "Chris! Give me the call! Chris... Chris... Give me the ball!" Many times they will just toss it to you.... It has worked several times for me.....

Also... go to batting practice at Major League games... Take a young kid with you..... Put a baseball hat on them and give them a glove... Position him/her along the wall in right or left field.... Many times, the players or stadium workers will give them a ball.... I have even seen batting coaches or pitching coaches borrow their glove to play the outfield during batting practice.... Then when they hand the glove back, they make sure there is a ball inside.....

[powderfinger]

I've been going to games for 40 years, and while I'd been close a few time, the only time I've gotten a foul ball was at a Beloit Snappers game five years ago. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, who were affiliated with the Mariners were in town, and a young shortstop named Ozzie Navarro lined a foul down the third base line. It hit the bleachers next to me which took the steam off of it and I scrambled after it, picking up my only foul ball. Ozzie's in the Astros system now and I've never come close again.

It's on the shelf next to me and I can see it whenever I look up from my computer.

[Danny Smith]

Batting practice before the game has always been lucky for me. I've only scored one game used ball which was a foul ball that Livan Hernandez tossed to me after he scooped it up while sitting on the dugout stairs. Super cool.

[Jcfowler6]

Great stories guys. Nothing like going to the ballpark.

[Sixtofan]

I caught one foul ball in my life. At the now defunct Milwaukee County Stadium. A liner off the bat of Daryl Hamilton. It deflected off something about 10 rows in front of us, I stuck up my left hand and much to my surprise caught the ball. It was quite a thrill

[HBroll]

Back in the late 1970's I went to a Cleveland-Detroit doubleheader (remember them - 2 games for the price of 1) at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

We were sitting in the upper deck behind home plate and I caught a foul ball off Indians catcher Gary Alexander in the 3rd inning of the first game and then caught a foul ball off Tigers Ron LeFlore in the 5th inning of the second game of the doubleheader. Been to a lot of games since but never caught another ball again.

[barrysloate]

Back in the late 80's my wife and I, my friend John, and his daughter, went to Shea for a Mets game. We were sitting pretty deep in left field, not a place where we would expect to get a ball. Turns out we got two, and they are the only ones I've ever even had a chance to catch.

The one my wife retrieved was hit by Mike Scioscia. We still have it. After we got the second one we could hear the crowd buzzing around us; anyone can get one at a game but two, especially so far from the batter's box, is rare.

[scooter729]

I've had a partial season ticket package at Fenway for many years now, in the first row of bleachers behind the Red Sox bullpen. So there are many chances for balls coming in my direction, but only one have I snagged - from Aaron Hill of the Blue Jays a few years back.

Otherwise my luck has been "so close, yet so far away." I've brought people to games who have snagged home run balls twice, and a few times have had home run balls go off my fingers and end up in someone else's hands. My goal is to catch a homer off a Red Sox player's bat at some point!

[ullmandds]

I have caught numerous home run/foul balls during bp at camden yards and the metrodome/target field...BUT the only ball i ever caught during a game was during the 4th game of the 1978 world series. We had seats behind home plate just to the left side of the screen. Reggie smith hit a hard foul ball right at us...i ducked and te ball landed under the seat in front of me...and i grabbed it! I was nine and it is a moment i'll cherish forever and i will have this ball til the day i die!

[bbcard1]

I think I have gotten three over the years, all at Salem Red Sox games. I remember having a shot at one in 1977 when George Foster was tearing it up. It was during BP and I was above the wall in the outfield...it's actually a cement barrier that was a deck above the wall. He absolutely crushed one on a line right below me. I leaned over the barrier and as the ball approached, I could hear it hissing from the velocity. I decided to pull my hands up and it crashed into the wall. I would have broken every bone in my hand. Discretion was the better part of valor.

[nebboy]

Ive gotten about 20 balls at MLB/AAA/CWS games over the years - most of which were at Royals games. Some times late games I would be one of a very few in a section. In one game I got 3 foul ball in 3 swings by one batter. Always have had a lot of luck with catching foul/HR balls

[chris6net]

I was with my father in the 70,s at Yankee stadium during the Yankees/Royals heyday when they were playing each other and my dad snagged a foul ball hit by Al Cowens and my brother and myself were thrilled. In 1999 I was at a playoff game with my wife at Shea Stadium when I caught a foul ball hit by Edgardo Alfonzo.(This was also the game Todd Pratt hit a homerun in extra innings to beat the Diamondbacks in the series 3 games to 1)

[novakjr]

I've gotten one ball from a game before. It was back in '92 and I was 12 at old Municipal Stadium. I was at the game with my parents and a few kids from my little league team with their parents as well. We had crap seats. Well, that was always the plan at Municipal. Get crap seats, and usually by the 4th inning the ushers kinda just stopped working, so you could always move closer. Luckily this time the place was almost empty, and we ended up in the first row of the box seats on the first base line, right above the Indians dugout. They were playing the Tigers that day, luckily the Indians were winning, and the final out was an easy ground-out. The team quickly celebrated and started heading for the dugout. First baseman Paul Sorrento glanced up and tossed me the ball(which I ended up getting signed by Sandy Alomar after the game). I was the happiest kid ever at that moment. To make things even better, he then went into the dugout, and then came back out and tossed the managers line-up cards on top of the dugout also. Well, I ended up with those too.. Which works out even better, because in the home dugout, the visiting teams lineup card was always the actual copy, while the home team kept the carbon copy of their own. So I ended up with Sparky Anderson's autograph as well.

At a game later in the year, I also ended up with the lineup cards from a game against the Orioles. But Johnny Oates' autograph really doesn't quite measure up to Sparky.

[Zach Wheat]

One of my favor tricks at a minor league game is this.... Sit somewhere behind the dugout, preferably on an aisle where you can get out of your seat easily......... Many times they will just toss it to you.... It has worked several times for me.....



The same thing happened to my daughter but with a different ending. The Detroit Tigers were playing the Mariners a couple of years ago and there was a significant rain delay. Most of the fans left the ballpark. When the game resumed, Ichiro caught the ball for the last out in the inning. As he was running in to the dugout he spotted my 7 year old daughter all decked out in Tiger gear and he signaled for her to stand up since he wanted to toss the ball to her. Someone 3 rows back and 12 seats over anticipated the throw. As she stood up & caught the ball the man raced over and took the ball out of her mitt.

The entire section saw what had happened. The man was already carrying 3 other balls - presumably from batting practice - and the section proceeded to "boo" and throw trash at him throughout the next inning. It was unrelenting...and he finally left the section to rousing cheers.

MWheat

[vintagecpa]

A long foul ball off of Palmero's bat when he played for the Rangers. I was always hoping he could sneak into the HOF before all the steroid nonsense started.

[ChiefBenderForever]

My dad got great seats to see a duel of pitching greats in the dumpy Metrodome the Twins/Whitesox Johan Santana vrs El Duque Orlando Hernandez. Santana threw a wicked curve and a foul ball came screeching towards the us and hit a seat and was headed right at me and I slapped my hands together and caught it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was definately a thrill of a lifetime and so cool to think the last person to touch that ball was Johan and still to this day can't believe it.

[Tomman1961]

Ted Williams Day at Shea. Sat behind Red Sox dugout. About the 8th inning a Met pops out to Garciapara for the last out. While looking down at my scorecard my wife hands me that ball he threw into the stands.

[sportscardpete]

I was bat boy for the Yankees the week after David Cone pitched a perfect game. Before the game, he took time to speak with me and he eventually gave me a signed baseball that he was warming up with. It solidified me being a Yankee fan!

[barrysloate]

Pete- you were a batboy for the Yankees!? Tell us some good stories.

[sportscardpete]

It was a wonderful experience. I was around 7 years old. They took me around the club house and I got to sit in the dugout before the game. I met all of the prominent Yankees during the year. Funny story, the only person to decline me an autograph was CHUCK KNOBLAUCH. He simply walked away from me. I have framed a Derek Jeter signed jersey, and a picture of him signing it while the jersey was on my back. I wore his jersey, and he initiated the signing. Everyone was very friendly. The jersey is the most cherished part of my sports collection. It just means a lot because my dad worked so hard getting me the opportunity. I will definitely try to do the same for my son!

[bh3443]

The year was 1978 and I just got my drivers license so my friends and I went to over 40 games that year at Fenway.
I liked to park behind the green monster up on the hill at this parking lot. I had a new Ford Thunderbird and these guys took good care of it while we were at the game. On Opening Day, I parked the car and we headed to the stadium when a ball came soaring over the green monster's net bounced on the street and literally two feet to my left! I caught it on the second bounce. We laughed at our good fortune and headed to watch the game.
The second time was a dramatic event also in 1978. While sitting near the Pesky pole we were watching batting practice when Yaz hit a high fly ball that would have been a foul ball that was falling from the sky right at my head! I reached up with both hands and caught the ball. The force was so great and my balance was off, so I fell over the seat behind me and proudly raised the ball in my left hand as I had not dropped it. The applause was embarrassing. My hands were red for a week!
BTW, back in the day one should never taught Dock Ellis! In a game when he was with Texas he was running towards the bullpen when someone near us swore at him. Dock went nuts and almost came over the fence into the stands but was restrained by his team-mates ( may have been Burroughs and Harrah).
Those we're the days in the late 70's! I can still taste the beer and smell the reefer that was such a sweet smelling cloud over friendly Fenway.

[whitehse]

I remember getting a few foul balls when I was a kid.

The 1st one was at Wrigley in the early 70's. A foul pop up came our way, my mom tried to catch it and it bounced off her hand. The guy next to us who got the ball turned around and handed it to me. The thing is I begged my mom and dad to let me take my glove to the game but they said no, that I would only lose it and besides a ball will never come our way.

In 1977 at Comiskey park my little league team had seats in the 1st row down the left field line. a foul ground ball dribbled by the 3rd baseman and I took my hat and scooped the ball up.

Fast forward a few years and I worked for the Chicago Cubs for seven years. For two years my job was dugout security, sitting on the bench during the games and received many baseballs during that time. Umpires, players groundscrew would always give me baseballs even without asking. I remember being on the field when Tony Pena was hitting BP and he nailed me with a one hop liner right in the rear end. I still have that ball!!!

My most memorable ball story was during the 1984 playoffs between the Cubs and Padres, they had a work out day before the series started. This workout was closed to the public but I was asked to be the security in the bleachers while the workout went on. Being the only one out there any baseball that went into the seats was mine. I ended up throwing some back, throwing a good number to the ballhawks waiting on the streets and pocketing a bunch for myself.

I had a incredible seven years and have memories that I will never forget.

[jp1216]

My 5-year-old son and I went to the Indians/Red Sox last month. Our first father-son only game. He got about 6 autographs before the game on a ball we brought from home. In the 3rd inning, a roller to the 3rd base coach was picked up. He turned to the crowd and pointed right to me - and tossed me the ball. He must have seen my son earlier. Needless to say, I made a great one handed grab :cool: and gave it to my son. My first and his first.

Funny part is that he enjoys the foul ball more than the autograph ball. He put the foul ball up on his shelf (in a holder) and leaves the auto ball on the ground...

[HRBAKER]

I caught a So Taguchi home run ball.

[barrysloate]

Pete- I'm sure you had a blast. How could Chuck Knoblauch dis a 7 year old kid? That is a little hard to believe.

[jerseygary]

Hanging around Shea Stadium when I was a kid I managed to get a few balls, but none on the fly. But that's not the good story... The best story I know of catching a ball at the ballpark was from my neighbor across the street. They were annoying Yankee fans and the dad would get prime seats at The Stadium from his boos from time to time. This was in '77 or '78 and the 8 year-old son was a HUGE Reggie Jackson fan. Before the game we were playing catch in the street and the dad comes out to get the kid and go to the game. In front of us, the son makes a deal with his dad saying that if the dad caught a ball, the son gets it. The dad says ok, but if the son catches a ball, the dad gets it. Deal. So 4 hours later the two come back and wouldn't you know it, first couple innings of the game, Reggie hits a foul ball towards their seats and the kid snares it. "Thank-you" says the Dad and takes the ball. Deal's a deal! Boy was that kid pissed! The dad took it to work and put it on his desk. I always thought it was a lousy thing to do to the kid. That family was also the first family I ever knew of that divorced...

[BBSD]

I've never got a ball at a game but I've had a re accruing dream of actually getting 6 or 7 in one game.

[Jcfowler6]

I was bat boy for the Yankees the week after David Cone pitched a perfect game. Before the game, he took time to speak with me and he eventually gave me a signed baseball that he was warming up with. It solidified me being a Yankee fan!

How does one get to be a bat boy? That is pretty cool. David Cone was excellent.

[btcarfagno]

I took my family to a game at Shea where the Mets were playing my neloved Pirates. My kids had made a sign cheering on the Pirates, and we moved down close to the field as they were warming up. A couple of the players signed the sign, then one of them asked us to wait where we were. He cane back with a ball from the bullpen and talked with my kids for a couple of minutes. He is still, I think, the Pirates bullpen catcher Heberto Andrade. Great moment.

Tom C

[dstraate]

I caught a Doug Mienkewietz dinger at AAA in Albuquerque. It was out in the lawn and made possible by my buddy diving out of the way like a wuss. Congrats on getting 3. That'll be tough to top!

[almostdone]

I've never personally caught a ball but have a great story of a guy I know in my town.
A number of years ago he went to a small minor leauge park to see some kid that had a bunch of hype surrounding him. He had never been to the city before and had trouble finding the park. When he finally did he parked and saw the game had already begun. As he was walking through the parking lot he heard the ping of a metal bat and saw a ball flying over the fence into the parking lot he was walking in. He grabbed the ball, bought a ticket and found his seat.
He inquired who hit the home run and found out it was the kid he was comming to see play!
After the game he found the young player and explained that he had his home run ball. The player autographed it for him with his name, the date, city and the words "1st professional home run".
The palyer was Alex Rodriguez!

[Karl Mattson]

In 1984, I took my mom to a Twins game at the old Metrodome. I had just accepted a work transfer and was leaving for Philadelphia in a few days, so we wanted to do something special before I left.

We sat on the 1st base side, upper deck, with most of the seats empty around us. We were turned towards each other, talking, when there was a swell of fan noise moving up towards us. I turned my head towards the field just in time to see a foul ball zeroing in on my mom, and I managed to catch it in my right hand just inches from her face. I got an ovation from the crowd, and we were briefly shown on the jumbo screen. It was only the 2nd game my mom had ever attended, and it ended up being very memorable. She still has the ball in a holder on her desk.

[39special]

The only one I ever caught was last year at a Reading Phillies(AA) game.It was a Dominic Brown foul ball.Been going to Reading Phillies games for 35 years.It will be another 35 years till I get another one!

[Robextend]

Caught a high foul ball off the bat of Prince Fielder at a Met game a few years ago at Shea Stadium.

[sox1903wschamp]

I can still taste the beer and smell the reefer that was such a sweet smelling cloud over friendly Fenway.

Nice stories Bill! Are you sure that was the smell of reefer or maybe the aroma wafting from the restrooms :). I was a Fenway rat my whole childhood catching just about every Saturday day game with the nieghborhood kids from North Waltham from 70-74. Never caught a ball when I was with the gang roaming the park but I do have 2 ball catching stories to share.

First was July 4th, 1972 at Fenway. Just me and Dad. I was 12. Close game against the Twins and we were sitiing in prime foul ball territory just past the Sox dugout maybe 10 rows up down the RF line. Up steps the immortal Juan Beniquez who rips a liner towards us but just behind us. Guy flubs it and caroms right to Dad who basket catches it and hands it to his 12 year old son. To this day the only ball me or Dad have ever captured. Next pitch Juan crushes a homer over the 420 sign and the Sox win 2-0 behind the also immortal Lynn McGlothlin's 3 hitter. Lynn was my favorite pitcher that year as he really did have a great year but then faded. To this day me and Dad kid everyone that he snared a liner one handed that day but it was cool none the less :).

Second was at Royal's Stadium in Kansas City in the late 70's. Our Family had just moved from Boston to Kansas City and the Red Sox were in town. I was walking into the stadium bleachers in Left field with my Brother who is 6 years younger. Were still in the parking lot but almost to the gate before the game when all of a sudden a ball comes bounding to us. My nimble little brother was more alert and fields the ball. We thought it was someone playing catch and lost the ball but as we make our way into the Stadium we notice some players are looking up in the stands and pointing at us. Turns out that during batting practice Jim Rice had creamed one over the stands and it bounded out of the stadium to us. If anyone has ever been to Royal/Kaufmann stadium in KC you will know that it is an enormous poke to clear the stands in LF. Amost unfathomable. My Brother still has the ball to this day and it has to be just about the longest homer ever in KC. I keep telling him to get Rice's autograph on it but he is not the sports guy that I am :)

[Troy Kirk]

I did get a foul ball once at a game in the 1970s off the bat of Lance Parrish but don't know where the ball is now.

The funniest story though is when my friend went to a game. That week my fantasy baseball team was playing his team. One of my fantasy players, Bip Roberts, hit a ball at him and it deflected off him and he didn't get it, but it did draw some blood. I always thought it was funny that my fantasy player went after my opponent in the stands.

[itjclarke]

.. but there was still some amazing fate at work in SF in 2006, when during a weekend series against the Phils, Ray Durham hit not one, but TWO HR's directly to Arcade section 145, row 5, seat 12.. about 425 ft from the plate. I usually only wore my glove for Bonds, since he was the only person that ever hit them up there.. so for Durham HR #1, I had to try to slip my 1920's era Mel Ott model glove on while the ball was in mid flight. At the last instant I threw my 1/2 gloved hand upward, and the ball hit and deflected right off. I took crap from my buddy the rest of the night.

Next day and literally while in mid-story, telling the fans in front of us what had happened the night before, Ray smacked another one right toward me. Exact words as it approached were "No f-----g way". This time with glove on, the ball again found its way right to my Ott's tiny pocket.. only to be jarred loose by 2-3 other competing hands.

Two days, two HRs from the same guy, to the same seat.. dropped!

Saving grace, you couldn't make out my face on either of the TV replays.

[Jcfowler6]

I took my family to a game at Shea where the Mets were playing my neloved Pirates. My kids had made a sign cheering on the Pirates, and we moved down close to the field as they were warming up. A couple of the players signed the sign, then one of them asked us to wait where we were. He cane back with a ball from the bullpen and talked with my kids for a couple of minutes. He is still, I think, the Pirates bullpen catcher Heberto Andrade. Great moment.

Tom C

Neat story Tom. The Pirates are my favorite as well. Heberto is still there too.

[bh3443]

Michael! I loved those stories! Glad to know that you were a fellow Fenway rat like me! As for the reefer, it was generally coming from my seat or my friends! As you know, the ushers rarely said anything in the 70's.
Greatest Usher ever was my pal Morris, an usher from the 30's thru 70's. We'd smuggle beer in and pour it into his Incredible Hulk plastic cup!
We loved to taught all the players back then! I once asked Bill Campbell if he had any extra "greenies' (speed called Deximil!) and he laughed! George Scott was always checking out the females, too.
I loved watching Nolan Ryan give up 8 runs in 2/3 of an inning when with the Angels. He was taken out as we banged on the wall in the bleachers screaming "ATTICA"....lol.
We were a bit fresh back then but only one friend got thrown out. George Scott was like 0 for 50 and he finally reached base on balls. My pal rico jumped on the field ran to first and congratulated the Boomer! He was promptly ejected!
I grew up in Marlboro and was always in waltham back then! Great area and lots of memories.
Thanks for sharing your stories and have a spectacular day!
Bill Hedin




Nice stories Bill! Are you sure that was the smell of reefer or maybe the aroma wafting from the restrooms :). I was a Fenway rat my whole childhood catching just about every Saturday day game with the nieghborhood kids from North Waltham from 70-74. Never caught a ball when I was with the gang roaming the park but I do have 2 ball catching stories to share.

First was July 4th, 1972 at Fenway. Just me and Dad. I was 12. Close game against the Twins and we were sitiing in prime foul ball territory just past the Sox dugout maybe 10 rows up down the RF line. Up steps the immortal Juan Beniquez who rips a liner towards us but just behind us. Guy flubs it and caroms right to Dad who basket catches it and hands it to his 12 year old son. To this day the only ball me or Dad have ever captured. Next pitch Juan crushes a homer over the 420 sign and the Sox win 2-0 behind the also immortal Lynn McGlothlin's 3 hitter. Lynn was my favorite pitcher that year as he really did have a great year but then faded. To this day me and Dad kid everyone that he snared a liner one handed that day but it was cool none the less :).

Second was at Royal's Stadium in Kansas City in the late 70's. Our Family had just moved from Boston to Kansas City and the Red Sox were in town. I was walking into the stadium bleachers in Left field with my Brother who is 6 years younger. Were still in the parking lot but almost to the gate before the game when all of a sudden a ball comes bounding to us. My nimble little brother was more alert and fields the ball. We thought it was someone playing catch and lost the ball but as we make our way into the Stadium we notice some players are looking up in the stands and pointing at us. Turns out that during batting practice Jim Rice had creamed one over the stands and it bounded out of the stadium to us. If anyone has ever been to Royal/Kaufmann stadium in KC you will know that it is an enormous poke to clear the stands in LF. Amost unfathomable. My Brother still has the ball to this day and it has to be just about the longest homer ever in KC. I keep telling him to get Rice's autograph on it but he is not the sports guy that I am :)

[scmavl]

The only one I've gotten was when I threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a minor league game this year. The catcher brought it up to me as I was leaving the field.

I could've had one at the game yesterday, but I wasn't quick enough.

[mybuddyinc]

Mid-late 1990's at a Winston-Salem game (back when they were the Warthogs !!!). Standing at the rail of the concourse, just behind the seats. A high looping foul comes right at me, I mean I didn't have to move an inch. There was no one within ten feet of me, a guaranteed catch. I even caught sight of a little kid just to the right of me with his father. I was already to catch the ball and give it to the little kid, big time "hero" move. Well, needless to say, the ball went right through my hands and bounced down into the stands .............. sums up my Baseball skills and foul ball success in one story !!!!




My father, however, "caught" a foul ball at a Reading Phils game, in an odd way. He was a Trenton Thunder season ticket holder, but would go out to Reading a few times a year. A batter hits a long foul ball out of the park. Just like any good minor league club, the press box plays the "shattering glass" sound that clues the pa guy to say: "That foul ball was brought to you by Jack's Auto Glass, if it broke your window, Jack will replace it for free." Well, after the game, my father goes to his car, and the back window is completely shattered, with the foul ball sitting in the back seat !!! He got the free voucher, but probably didn't use it, being from out of town.


Great thread, great stories :)

[RichMcGillicuddy]

Went to Home Run Derby day at Wrigley for the 1990 All-Star game. During batting practice Frank Viola tossed a ball up into the Right Field bleachers that I got.

Also got one in 1977 at a White Sox game. Batting practice, kicked over to me by Jack Kucek. Got it signed by the late Francisco Barrios.

[Jcfowler6]

I've never personally caught a ball but have a great story of a guy I know in my town.
A number of years ago he went to a small minor leauge park to see some kid that had a bunch of hype surrounding him. He had never been to the city before and had trouble finding the park. When he finally did he parked and saw the game had already begun. As he was walking through the parking lot he heard the ping of a metal bat and saw a ball flying over the fence into the parking lot he was walking in. He grabbed the ball, bought a ticket and found his seat.
He inquired who hit the home run and found out it was the kid he was comming to see play!
After the game he found the young player and explained that he had his home run ball. The player autographed it for him with his name, the date, city and the words "1st professional home run".
The palyer was Alex Rodriguez!

Now that is really cool!

[Gary Dunaier]

I caught the home run Damion Easley hit in the bottom of the 10th inning when the Mets were one strike away from losing to Colorado 4/24/07 at Shea Stadium. Perhaps the most unusual thing about this home run is that it was commemorated on a Topps card later that year.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m124/coinboynyc/2007ToppsDamionEasleycard-autogr-1.jpg http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m124/coinboynyc/2007ToppsDamionEasleycard-autograph.jpg

[Buythatcard]

I must have attended well over 100 major league games in my lifetime but never caught a ball. Had a few almost take my scalp off and one brushed my fingertips. But the closest catch was back in 1961 at Yankee Stadium. I was sitting in the first row behind 3rd base with my friend, while my father sat about 10 rows back. My Dad decided to go to the bathroom and you guessed it, a ball landed in his seat. Some other lucky fan got the ball. I don't know who hit it but the 61 Yankees had some great ones playing.

[D. Bergin]

1981, I was 10 years old.

Glens Falls White Sox vs. Bristol Red Sox at Muzzy Field in Bristol.

The White Sox had this kid named Ron Kittle, who was absolutely tearing up the league that year. I was there with my Cub Scout Pack and he hit a deep home run into an area where there was no seating. I raced about 5 of my friends towards the ball and ended up the winner.

After the game, my mom, who has never had a moment of shyness in her life............busted into the White Sox clubhouse and got Kittle to sign the ball for me.

Wish I still had the ball, but I loved baseball back then and would spend hours smacking balls around in my big back yard. It eventually fell victim to "last ball in the house" syndrome, and was probably lost in the woods behind my house, at one time or another.

[glenv]

A couple of years ago, the AZ Diamondbacks had a mid-week day game. It was late in the season and they already had been eliminated from the playoffs, so the crowd was sparse. I had moved into better seats along the right field line when Drew hits one around the foul poll that bounced back towards me. Nobody was close - I picked the ball up off the ground before the janitor could sweep it up. Then the usher came down and asked me to leave the seats. Figured I was getting kicked out for being in the wrong seats, but they sent me to a PR person to get my address. Turned out every HR the DBacks hit, they get the ball, have it signed by the player that hit it, and mail it back to the fan that caught it. Cool program - wish more teams would do positive stuff like that!

[alanu]

Never at at a major league or minor league game, but when I was little (in the late 60's, early 70's), at American Legion games they used to give us a dime for chasing down foul balls and returning them.

[Bilko G]

I caught the home run Damion Easley hit in the bottom of the 10th inning when the Mets were one strike away from losing to Colorado 4/24/07 at Shea Stadium. Perhaps the most unusual thing about this home run is that it was commemorated on a Topps card later that year.



that is way to cool:cool:

[Jantz]

I came close to getting one last year during an Cleveland Indians game. About two minutes before the foul, my best friend told his daughter & her friend to pay attention because we were sitting in a section that could see a few foul balls. A few minutes later Asdrubal Cabrera fouled a ball right to us. I could tell I had no chance of getting the ball, so I yelled to my best friend to grab it & he did.

Within minutes, a stadium staff member came down and got some information from my friend. He received a 1-day contract from the Cleveland Indians organization for catching the ball.

Next thing we know, my friend's phone starts ringing, it was his father wanting to know why he & I were on his TV screen. He was watching the game too.

Ironically, the reason we went to the game was because my friend asked his daughter what she wanted for her birthday. She said that she wanted to go to a game. The foul ball, which my friend gave to his daughter, was just an extra bonus gift I guess.

On a side note, has anyone else ever noticed that when a foul ball is coming towards you it looks like it is traveling in slow motion?

Jantz

[MacDice]

Never got anything at a MLB game but I grew up close to Bellingham, WA and we started going to Bellingham Mariners games in 1988 (the year after Griffey played there). We would get to the game as soon as the gates open and my dad would let me go get autographs while he stayed outside the park to collect BP balls. It was a small ballpark, with no stands in the outfield or netting. We would go to around 6 games a year and I don't think that we ever came away with less than 10 balls per game. It was those balls that we would use when my dad would throw me batting practice all through high school.

[tcdyess]

Caught my one and only opening year of the new Yankee stadium. Sitting in the Legand seats off 3rd base. Matsui lined one that shot off the ground and jumped about 5 rows right into my left hand while I didn't even spill the beer in my right. I was on TV and immediately got texts and calls from home. Pretty funny stuff. The best part for me is that the ball has the inaugural season logo on it. It will be a fun piece of my collection going forward....

[thadd]

Never got one myself, I think the closest I ever came was a foul ball about 2 sections over, not good odds there. :rolleyes:

On another note, the card shop in my area does framing and matting which is really his bread and butter these days. He came up with a really cool way to frame a foul ball. He puts a card of the pitcher and one of the batter, plus the ticket from the game as well. Then mounts the ball in a holder which is affixed to the glass. It's a pretty neat way to display a foul ball in your home or office if you ever got one. He cuts the matting with the design of the foul pole in it too. The whole thing is really cool I think, I'd never seen one displayed in an ensemble that was such a good conversation piece.

He actually had a deal with Angels Stadium to put them in their main souvenir shops but MLB big wigs freaked out when they were there because he happened to used Upper Deck cards in the display one and this was after the whole licensing thing a couple years ago. They pulled it out of the shop and I guess he hasn't been able to get them back in there again. He can always use Topps cards you know. :D

Hopefully some day I'll have a reason to buy one from him. :o

[Kzoo]

I caught/attained two balls at different spring training games in Florida several years back.......one bounced off a fat guy's belly who was sitting across the aisle from me in Plant City when the Reds used to play there.

I also caught two BP balls on Waveland Ave. outside Wrigley on different occasions.....the first one I had to catch bare handed on the fly because I didn't have my glove and other 'ball hawks' were closing in fast.....and yes, the little grey speck that was coming towards me over the bleachers was in 'slooooow motion'......and yes, my palms were beat red for awhile afterwards, but the ball, the story and a couple beers made for a great day.

Matt

[Oldtix]

I got my only one in St. Louis on June 29, 1967...an Orlando Cepeda foul ball, with a big assist going to my Dad's timely block on two guys coming headlong after me to snag the thing. Cepeda signed it for me back in the 1980s.

Also have a Ted Williams foul ball caught by my uncle in Kansas City on July 24, 1956.

The one that got away would have likely killed me...a screaming foul shot from Bo Jackson at Yankee Stadium. It was a bullet, and I reflexively stuck out my left hand too late. It slammed into a seat a few rows back with a crack that made me realize how lucky I was to miss it.

[Tomman1961]

Sort of. July 1999 at Shea . Mets vs. Red Sox. My family of 4 was sitting on the Red Sox dugout. Ted Williams Day. Before the 10th inning was starting, I was staring down at my scorecard. Then my wife says to me:"Here". She hands me a 1999 Fenway All Star Game Ball. After infield, before the inning started, the Sox third base coach noted my 2 sleeping children. He flipped the infield practice ball to my wife and said something like-great kids,nice family.

[Collectorsince62]

My son caught his first and only foul ball during game 7 of the 2004 NLCS at Busch stadium. I had always told him that if a ball came near us but he couldn't reach it, to go to the ground, because that's where the ball usually ends up. Following my advice, a ball comes into our row, but a few seats over. Before I realized what had happened, he emerges from the ground with the ball clutched tightly in his hands.

Years earlier, my two sons were at the railing during BP asking players for balls with no success. Jose Lind from the Pirates is watching them, but not complying. When BP ends, the boys are walking sadly back to our seats when Lind tosses one right in front of them. He laughed and game me a thumbs up, they immediately nominated him as their favorite Pirate.

I got my first foul ball this year at a Cardinals game off the bat of Brewer catcher Jonathan Lucroy. While it was in the air, I told myself - don't drop it, don't drop it . . . I dropped it. But I managed to grab it quickly and avoid an error.

[Mark]

Back when I was a very little kid at Forbes Field. Jerry May hit it into the stands between first and right field. I vividly remember getting the autos, too.

[mrmopar]

A few balls during BP at the Kingdome. Nothing during a game.

My favorite memory was a buddy of mine getting a fairly clean ball from someone in BP. Dave Winfield was sitting along the 1st base line and nobody was around him at all, yet my friend had no interest in trying for the autograph.

I took the ball over, asked and Winfield signed it. Of course, then I had to trade to get the ball. Still have it today.

[BearBailey]

In just under 200 Major League Games, I have gotten 1. A ground rule double at 3 River's. We were first row center field and the Giants were playing, we came to see Bonds and probably to boo Deion Sanders as he signed that huge contract that week(I think the Cowboys?). Kurt Manwaring hit a ground rule double that fell back down and Jacob Brumfield threw the ball right up, I still have it and cherish it.
As far as Minor Leagues if any of you remember the Supposed to be Great Brien Taylor, first Million dollar signor, who had flopped due to injury, during his very brief comeback attmept he was pitching and Wes Denning of the Delmarva Shorebirds fouled a ball up to me it drilled me in my shin and popped up into my hands.
Amazingly enough my sons, who are 8 and 5, have gotten several at minor league games, none at the majors yet. Including getting 5 in 1 game 3 fouls, and 2 that were caught to end innings that players threw up to him. There were 5 kids total with us that night and my older son gave 1 to everyone so each kid got a ball. A very proud moment.

[forazzurri2axz]

went to see our Braves who had already clinched the division when we were in SF...I believe it was Glavine who hit a line drive foul between third and home, smacks into the concrete steps,flies into the air with the backspin a few rows, and as it was about to land in the glove of the woman behind me, I stuck up my left hand....and nailed it...would have stung like hell if I dropped it I'm sure but didn't feel a thing!!! gave it to my 8 yr old son--

[Writehooks]

During batting practice at the '79 All-Star Game at the Seattle Kingdome, I caught a ball hit into the stands by Steve Garvey. It was an official American League ball, so a few days later I mailed it to my favorite player — Catfish Hunter — to his home in Hertford, N.C., requesting an autograph. Along with the note, I enclosed a US money order for $10 to cover the return postage to Canada. Within in a couple of weeks, I not only received my autographed baseball, but a couple of nicely personalized signed photos — and the uncashed MO, along with a handwritten note from Hunter explaining that he was happy to have fans in Canada. Classy guy...

[xdrx]

The one that got away...

I was at Dodger Stadium for the first time in 1976 as an 8-yr old east coast Dodgers fan. At the game way early for BP. As players started off the field before the game kids starting bunching up behind the Dodger's dugout for autographs. I high-tailed it down there, and was maybe back about four rows of bodies. Not much chance.

A few players were handing out balls from BP or whatever, which I'm politely shouting for them to toss my way to no avail. Then I see a ball being passed around and signed! It maybe had 10 sigs total - Cey and Lopes for sure, and Lee Lacy. He was pretty much the last guy on the field, holding the autographed ball. I held my glove hand up, hoping for a toss. I swear we made eye contact. He flipped the ball in my direction. I had my glove out, ready for an easy catch, until the kid in front of me rose up to what seemed liked Kareem Abdul Jabaarian heights and snatched the ball out of the air with his bare hand.

Never been that close to one since, though I did catch a tennis ball at a John McEnroe match in the early 80s. Much to my dismay you have to give those back!

[sycks22]

I've got 1 foul ball and 1 home run ball. I was up in Duluth, MN about 15 yrs ago at a Duluth Superior Dukes game (league where the St. Paul Saints play) and got a foul ball down the right field line. I was so jacked to get it I slipped when running for it. I actually got a grand slam ball at a Durham Bulls game about a month ago when they were playing the Charlotte Knights and Dallas Mcphearson hit one right at us and my wife was all passive going for it so I had to grab it quick. It's fun getting a ball of a player that has MLB experience.

[SteveMitchell]

Yes, that's right: two baseballs in a single game.

Not by me but by my two nephews who attended a Seattle Kingdome game in 1989. They were visiting from Maine for the primary purpose of attending our son and daughter's high school graduation. Their folks took them to see rookie sensation Ken Griffey, Jr. and the '89 edition of the M's (a not-so-hot combine) and in the course of the game retrieved not one but two baseballs! Don't know if they have caught one at Fenway (or even been to Fenway).

As for me, just one baseball retrieved and it probably doesn't count: Don Baylor, then of the California Angels, swatted one down the left field line to me ... in batting practice.

[Mark]

Yes, that's right: two baseballs in a single game.

Not by me but by my two nephews who attended a Seattle Kingdome game in 1989. They were visiting from Maine for the primary purpose of attending our son and daughter's high school graduation. Their folks took them to see rookie sensation Ken Griffey, Jr. and the '89 edition of the M's (a not-so-hot combine) and in the course of the game retrieved not one but two baseballs! Don't know if they have caught one at Fenway (or even been to Fenway).

As for me, just one baseball retrieved and it probably doesn't count: Don Baylor, then of the California Angels, swatted one down the left field line to me ... in batting practice.

I'm not the judge, but I think that BP counts. I got my first one during a pepper game along the right field foul line.

[geor952]

My first game was in 1982, I was 6 ears old, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincy. The Cards were visiting in their baby blue uniforms and Tommy Herr was up. He fouled one up into the Green seats, behind the plate. My Grandfather, Dad, and I (all three Georges) were sitting together with me in the middle. Pap reached up with two hands caught the ball. I still remember him standing up with the ball above his head while the entire section cheered for him. He immediately gave me the ball and it is still my prized piece in my collection. Thanks for reading...

[Runscott]

I caught a bp home run back around 1990 at a Ranger's game - I had to reach over the fence and catch it blind.

Also caught a foul ball hit by Geno Petralli at a Ranger's game back around '91 - it went straight back through a stairwell. I saw it headed toward a wall, so I slid feet first with my hands ready to catch it on the rebound. Some little turd holding an ice cream cone bent over in my 'path' just as it was reaching me, so I had no choice but to take him out. The kid's ice cream went flying and I successfully made the catch. I felt bad and was going to give him the ball, but he started cursing me (a 10-yr old) and several adults gave me 'the evil eye'. Well, I walked away with the ball and handed it to my girlfriend. Some jackass usher came over and took it from her. Perhaps I'm a dick - I don't know.

Years later (around 2000?), I was in the outfield at Fulton County stadium during batting practice. I couldn't catch anything and finally gave up and went back to my seat. While I was whining, the very last batter took his very last swing and nearly hit me with the ball. It was basically my ball, but some old man tried to jump into the fray, so I gave him the same treatment I gave that 10-yr old back in '91. This time I kept the ball.

So, yes - I have two balls.

[packs]

Back in, I think it was 1999, I'm hazy on the year, the Yankees were doing this thing where everyone on the team threw a signed baseball into the stands at every home game during the month of September. I happened to catch one tossed by Chris Chambliss. When I looked at the baseball more closely, I realized it was a special September to Remember offical American League baseball. I have NEVER seen another one.

Has anyone ever seen one? I still have it except now it is also signed by Willie Randolph and Whitey Ford.